For those who say there's no market for PS2s still, you obviously haven't tried to play any games that are dependent on timing upscaled on a PS3. Laughable stuff. I hope you enjoy not being able to do combos anymore! :(

Grave

@rentahero1: HDMI is of course the better technology but nowhere near the point where you could tell a difference at such a low quality source signal. I have no idea why you think the image will look better when it's a given fact that HDMI generally provides sharper edges while Component looks softer compared, and the sharp edges are effectively what is killing PS2 graphics on an HDTV.

I wasn't talking about you lacking knowledge in this field of technology dude. I was saying you seem to have no idea what PS2 looks like on an HDTV with ANY sort of cable or quality. My Component cables are 1m long and I think we can agree that at this length it doesn't matter whether you buy MONSTER, Sony or Denon. It still looks bad. No reason why HDMI would improve this, it would make matters worse as far as I'm aware.

@rentahero1: Hence why I replied to a comment talking about a built-in upscaler, which the PS3 does not have, which has nothing to do with software enabled scaling. Reading comprehension FTW.

Candlejack

@Logician: It does sound suspiciously like SCPH-900xx (the existing model in the USA and Japan, maybe Europe?). In any case, no tangible improvements here apparently.

rentahero1

I hope they give us a remodel of the PS3 too though, PS2 is kind of unnecassary.

Llost

@Luke Plunkett:
You're saying that India's Economic Times is lagging over half a year behind times?
That it's still the "3rd generation" PS2 that they're talking about?

Logician

@Magnum1024k: When I was shopping for a PS2 in Japan, I almost got a clearanced PSX instead, but it was still 20000 yen more than the slim PS2 coming out a few weeks later, so I decided for the sake of my luggage and wallet to wait... kinda wish I'd gone with the PSX now though.

rentahero1

Wonder if a swap would work for this too

animemecha

@Magnum1024k: Yes, god does not abominations amongst the ranks of his children ;)

Luke Plunkett

@rentahero1: I suppose that makes sense then, I'm just wondering if the R&D etc. is worth the time given the console being at the end of it's life.

Llost

Cool, seeing that in India people have just started buying PS2 consoles, it will be a great thing to have a new model :D

Many people often endup buying a PS2 rather than a 360 or PS3 now a days, here.

but 3Lakh 40K already sold? wow, thats really impressive!

Reetesh

I guess were leaving the failed PSX (PS2\Tivo\MediaCenter for those not in the know) model out of our PS2 model figures.

Magnum1024k

@Candlejack: Technically, PS3 does upscale (it puts out 480i/480p video in 720p/1080i/1080p). It just sucks at it due to lack of dedicated scaler hardware.

rentahero1

Big edit coming folks, post changing in 3, 2, 1...

Luke Plunkett

@dangerman_: That's the most important thing to Sony right now, if their console is selling less, but they need to support it to keep publishers of crappy discount games happy still...

rentahero1

@rentahero1: The article says that the new PS2 is gonna be the same price as the earlier version -- the equivalent of £82.
Although it's probably cheaper to manfacture ¬__¬

dangerman_

I don't believe that they should STOP producing PS2 consoles anytime soon.
There are still tons of PS2 games circulating, not just among the new titles, but also among the used discs. Considering that the PS2 easily dies (I'm on my second now, and it's starting to have disc read errors after one year), there will still be a (somewhat smaller) demand for new PS2 console.
Especially since the PS3 don't do BC.
(I, for one, still wants to play Odin Sphere, but refuse to pay 40-50€ for it.)

Logician

@Wizzard: It's called PSP ;) Runs on pretty similar hardware to PS2 already.

rentahero1

@Candlejack: Uhhh... I design HDMI/DisplayPort products for a living, so my experience is pretty solid, thanks.
With HDMI, you avoid analog ghosting and signal quality degradation over a distance, because of its TMDS signaling. With a crappy component cable, your video will correspondingly look like crap.
There's no downside with going HDMI, even with standard def video. In fact, since in HDMI there is the concept of "pixels" which don't really exist in analog (only lines truly exist there), upscaling an HDMI signal is easier and looks sharper (you don't get vertical crawl from the lines not quite lining up). Colors are guaranteed to be dead on as well.

rentahero1

How small are they going to get? We'll get a ps2 portable in a year or two.

Wizzard

I remember there were rumours of a cheaper PS2 redesign last year that would remove the need for an external power brick, but those rumours suggested that the slim PS2 design would be retained...

Given that the PS2 still sells well (despite its age and slowly dipping sales), I suppose it makes sense to keep the brand fresh, plus re-designing it might help shift a few extra units to people who like to have the latest and greatest design. It would be nice if Sony were to release a region free model now that they've gone region free on the PS3...

photoboy

@Candlejack: It seems that the PS3 is not as popular in Indian and Russian markets, and evidently 'first timers' would prefer to get a 'PS-2'.

That said, this is probably because of the high price of the PS3 in the first place.

dangerman_

@Llost: I doubt it'll be a super big redesign, might just be a cost-reduced version again. Chips keep getting smaller and smaller...
Dunno if you've ever popped open an NES or Genesis clone console, but those things are empty! Just look at the OneStation portable console -- the NES console clones are in the carts. Amazing stuff.

rentahero1

@PixelRambo: Haha, they didn't put one in the PS3 but you expect one to be in the PS2.

Seriously what the hell people?

Candlejack

@rentahero1: I know it does. What I'm saying is that with games in 480i you would gain literally nothing because it'll potentially look worse on your screen than Component.

I have no idea where you are getting the idea from that it'd look like the PS3 would. The PS2 operates at SDTV resolutions and you're outputting it to a 1366x768 or 1920x1080 panel. It looks shit and it will always stay like that, and I doubt you're talking from experience at this point, while I am.

Candlejack

@Candlejack:
Sony is bleeding cash all over the place. New SKU helps staunch the bleeding. Unlike the PS3, every PS2 puts money in Sony's pocket.

@hk458: See above. PS2 makes money. PS3 doesn't. Sony makes money on software sales too.

Nullzero

@Candlejack: If it had a built in upscaler it would be a different story, especially for us who can't get the BC PS3(Europe) anymore.

PixelRambo

@Gunloc: I have a PS3 60GB ;) But I'd like a Japanese HDMI PS2 just to play my imports. (I used to live in Japan, so I amassed quite the Jap PS2 collection... can't play them in the living room at the moment because I'm out of non-HDMI inputs on my TV!)

rentahero1

I doubt this is true, remodelling the PS2 for minimal gain (nothing much can be added or redesigned, it's already been made slimmer) right when sales of the console are starting to go down would not really help anything. It'll be interesting to see if it's true but I don't think so.

Llost

@Candlejack: HDMI supports 480i too. Component on PS2 depends highly on the type of cable you have. HDMI on PS2 would probably look amazingly like HDMI on PS3, except it'd be more inclined to output the proper resolution rather than an upscaled one. (People, let the TV do the upscale -- a good part of the time it's smarter anyway!)

@MyLittlePwny: No power brick.

rentahero1

@MyLittlePwny: That's how I read it, yeah.

@NightMystic: Read the post again :) There were two models of the original PS2, one with a system link cable, one without, and the PSTwo. That's three. Making this the fourth.

Luke Plunkett

I don't know what PS2 Slim you guys have but mine came with this thingy: [www.mod-chip.com] - an external AC adapter.

Candlejack

@rentahero1: Hmmm would
you buy an attachment for the PS3 that plays PS2 games? If it looked suave I
might bite one day too...

Gunloc

Whats an internal A/C supply? The powe cable is non detachable or something?

MyLittlePwny

@rentahero1: But that's what I mean, they should stop trying to sell PS2 consoles and software. Let the system go and focus on PS3 sales. Maybe they'll wake up in that section and push the PS3 and its games with marketing.

And why would you want HDMI on a PS2 that barely has games which support 480p? I'm using component and it looks crap on an HDTV and with HDMI it'd only look sharper which makes it even worse.

Candlejack

Hey kotaku dudes, theres a zelda marathon going on right now. [www.ustream.tv]

just to let you know, there an ocirina and still have other zeldas to go, its for childs play.

Marusame

The longer PS2 is alive and kicking, the longer developers will make crappy Wii ports of PS2 games. It's very simple. PS2's longevity helps Sony make the Wii look like it's a much crappier piece of hardware than it actually is.

BtownDesignGuy

Original PS2 - fat
Slim PS2
???
4th

What on earth is the third one?

NightMystic

If this is like a "high-end" PS3. I'd think it has 480p support and would look great on HDTV's.

As stated the current model has internal modem and power supply.

Itchy (PSN: Kaizoku-ou)

Why???
Why???
Seriously...Why???
I guess if Sony beats a dead horse long enough the twitchings might make it seem like its still alive.

hk458

@rentahero1: Yeah, I remembered that as soon as it went up. My bad. Fixed now.

Luke Plunkett

I think it's just unbelievable that people are still buying PS2's.

TOWER_JUNKIE

@Shiryu: Current model has an internal PSU already.

rentahero1

This is the real reason why they removed BC from the PS3. Tricky tricky Sony ;)

Gunloc

Read about it, heard the AC supply will be internal unliek the slim PS2. Anyway, good for them, I dont really play PS2 anymore, It has been replaced by a new console in my home, so I will give this redesign a miss. But, again, hurray for Sony for doing it.

Shiryu

@Candlejack: That'd be great except then they can't sell PS2 titles. If PS3 units were still backwards compatible, that'd work.

If the new PS2 had HDMI, I'd bite...

rentahero1

Uhhh... the existing PS2 (SCPH-900xx) already
- Has an internal modem/NIC (depending on region)
- Has an internal power supply
But thanks for playing!

rentahero1

I think this is a bad move. They should let old stocks of the PS2 sell out for good and cut it there. Then get the price of the PS3 down and you'll see more people consider the option.

Candlejack

Amazingly enough, I might have legitimate reasons to buy such a thing.

ZaerApollo

Who cares it's a new model? It needs a price cut. It's current price in Europe is a bit over double the American price and that's more than a little unfair.

coladict

@Candlejack: It very much depends on the HDTV. My main TV (Pioneer PDP-5070HD) is rated very highly on handling 480i/p signals over any interface and doing sane things with it. I had a PS2 hooked up to component on it and was quite happy with it, although I thought the video looked a bit too soft. And now I've run out of component inputs, so I'm looking towards my HDMI switch to be my savior ;)
You can still buy really bad Xbox and PS2 component cables at 2m, let me tell you. I got one for Xbox where green was so out of phase it was unbelievable. This is the sort of problem you don't get with HDMI. (Not everyone can get away with a 1m run of cable, mind you!)

As far as the built-in upscaler comment, my bad. The original post also said he wanted it in lieu of a backwards-compatible PS3, so I keyed in on the "as good as PS3" part as what was really being asked for.

rentahero1

Please come to Australia

too-ninja

@noboard: Agreed

I've never owned a PS2 of my own, always used to use housemates ones. Now i've got a place of my own I'd really like to pick one up to go in the spare bedroom (nice old sony CRT) so I can play gun games like Time Crisis 2.

£80 is still too much though

NecronomiconUK

I'd like to buy a new PS2 and no external power supply + small form factor is great, but until Sony drop the price to £50 I'm not interested. I only want it to play my old PS2 games (I have a Jap PS3) and even pick up some of the late titles God of War etc. But there's no way I'm paying twice the price of our overseas friends.

noboard

the ps2slim is pretty nice... i still use it when i need to bring it to parties (buzz, karaoke, guitar hero) since i don't feel like lugging around a ps3

phrequency

I'd be up for purchasing a PS2 model with HD upscaling and region free capabilities, otherwise I'll stick with my current fat model.

Crazyreyn

@Grave: I never suggested that, I only want Sony to kill the PS2 and push the PS3 instead.

Candlejack

@Candlejack: Until they let us output PS2 games in 480i over HDMI and not force me to play my PS2 games drowning in lag and artifacts, I think it would be foolish of them to do such a thing.

Question to all here with BC PS3s: can you output 480i over component, or does it still force upscaling? I don't have any component cables on hand to try this with. Sad as it is, if it doesn't work, my options now are to keep a CRT around or to keep a PS2 around.

Grave

I would love a slim PS2 without a powerbrick. It would be perfect for hooking it up to the LCD/DVD player in the car for long trips.

Starcraft2008

oooh, white DS2 :D

I'm happy with my current PS2 slim. I got a stand for it a while back and it looks mighty fine!

Rocky_Winston

God ol' mighty, Sony needs to stop whoring the PS2 with different models and colors. The only reason they are doing it is because they can get away with keeping the price jacked up high. Gamecube and XBox are cheap now, but the PS2 still cost a lot.

tokyoshi

I just miss the good old times from Sony...

Gambly

@Candlejack: true :/ i think also it's a bad move. But Sony must know.... or at least they'll know it someday.

Gambly

I don't remember seeing this many people bitching when it was available in Japan for MONTHS. PS2 is still kicking ass so get over it. This will also be coming to the US this holiday.

LittleBigPlaneteer

PS3 and Xbox 360 are sold at very high costs in India, almost equal to the monthly paycheck for freshers in the job market. Also PS3 games are also very expensive when compared to the income. On the other hand, only now, PS2 has become affordable for the common mass, even its sold there for 175$ compared to 129$ here. Also, HDTVs are very expensive there. A 40 inch sony bravia will cost around 4000$ which is not possible for many to purchase. Invariably, people go for PS2 to play them on the existing tv. So, I believe this is a great move by sony to boost the sales of video games in India.

venkat55

For the people asking WHY WHY...
BECAUSE IT SELLS AND MAKES PROFIT! /sigh

Garo

@rentahero1: Well I can't argue with your experience. I'd like to point out that I'm "OK" with the PS2 via Component on an HDTV but it certainly looks inferior to a good SDTV, mostly because of the jaggies. Maybe we should just accept it.

Candlejack

If it still turns a profit, they will still sell it.

EnigmaNemesis

@GogolGants:
What the fuck are you talking about? Has anyone even mentioned Nintendo in all of this? If that is some form of sarcasm you really need to restructure it so you don't sound like such a dick.

Lazlo

Go on Sony, stoop to their level; paint the PS2 white, add waggle 'motes, target children and housewives with strategic PR, release it for more than it's worth and take back your market share.

GogolGants

sony knows this is the cheapest way to sell units esp in a country so many people

darktorns

I'm looking into buying a new PS2 and it looks like Sony have come up trumps for me. Still have a few PS2 titles I haven't played. Plus finding a (semi) backwards compatible PS3 in the UK isn't cheap.

Kevyn

Heck, I'll buy one.

And I already own one!

Klappstuhl

I actually have one of these slim models with internal/NICs for playing the import games. I gave up using the swap disc kit after the drive on my fat PS2 died. Well considering what Sony did with the 40GB PS3s, you might as well hang onto a slim just in case there's a PS2 game you want to play.

chirokitsune

I work for a store that sells consoles, game and PCs in the UK. Currently, we have a shite load of PS2 slimlines still in stock. over the past 6 months, we've sold 1 of those. Just one. I am not getting any demands for new PS2 consoles at this time, people want a PS3, and it will continue until at least Xmas. Releasing anther PS2 console would be poor unless they dropped the price of it right down, sold it as a cheap party game console or something.

But this is Sony. That ain't gonna happen.

Entrail

To those of you with no clue on global economics why do you post? Is it to flaunt your ignorance with pride and joy?

I think it is great Sony is supporting the PS2 for emerging markets in those regions. Gaming will soon be global which means new studios with fresh ideas.

AntiHiro

@Entrail:

Considering the sales numbers for PS2, I'd say your personal evidence is negligible. The PS2 sells quite well still, even surpassing current gen systems now and then.

LittleBigPlaneteer

Good God y'all!
There are already more PS2 SKUs in Europe than there are PS3 SKUs! How about an alternative to the inferior 40GB PS3 SKU? I want to get a PS3, but not one lacking BC considering my PS2 is a smoking mess and I still have PS2 games that needs playing.

NorthernAvengeR

Sony needs to make the next PS2 a USB drive that I can plug into my 40 GB PS3 and restore the kingdom.

hagridore

My launch ps2 is still fine and dandy, but I'd pick one of these up if they came stateside!

Wolfers

Even SLIMMER? My original fatty ps2 just died a little inside.

Pablos102030

@Candlejack:
Yes, but the third generation mode

PirateKeef

@TOWER_JUNKIE: I totally agree.

lenandude

They need to make a PS2 add-on for PS3 for those of us in countries that didn't get backwards compatability.

I'd totally buy that, there are quite a few ps2 games that got put on hold since I got my PS3, and ran out of spaces on my AV receiver. Switching cables is such a pain.

Polite Society

People are complaining about the fact that Sony still supports the PS2? People, come on, this should be the way everyone does things. Man I'd love it if every console had a 10 year lifespan the way the PS2 seems to be going.

dowingba

One for me plz!

Jazzingbass

Wait, what year am I in?

Solertia

Do we really need a forth PS2 ?

SymbiantXenos